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Why India Dropped Rohit Sharma And Akash Deep In The 5th Test vs Australia?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee∙ Updated: Jan 3 2025, 4:49 AM

Rohit Sharma in Test cricket [Source: AP Photos]Rohit Sharma in Test cricket [Source: AP Photos]

India and Australia are all set to take on each other in the fifth and final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. This match will be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Australia.

The Indian team won the toss ahead of the game and opted to bat first. While it was a bit of a surprise decision another major surprise awaited the Indian fans during the toss. The regular ODI and Test captain of the team, Rohit Sharma did not walk out for the coin flip, instead Jasprit Bumrah was doing the honours. Besides resting Rohit, India also had to rest Akash Deep and play Prasidh Krishna in his place. Let us look at the reasons India rested Rohit and Akash Deep for the fifth Test match.

Why India Rested Rohit Sharma For The Fifth Test?

Rohit Sharma has had a terrible Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024. He was not present for the first Test of the series. Sharma joined the team from the second game of the series and had played three matches since then. In these three games, Rohit Sharma has played five innings and has scored 31 runs at an average of 6.20. 

Notably, due to the lack of form the Indian management was struggling to fit their skipper in the batting line-up. He left his opening spot for KL Rahul and batted in the middle-order during the the second Test. After that he tried his luck at the top of the order but failed too. With the lack of depth, flexibility caused by Rohit's presence in the batting line-up, the Indian management might have decided to rest him.

Why India Rested Akash Deep For The Fifth Test?

India started the series with Harshit Rana as their third seamer. However, after a couple of matches, they inducted Akash Deep into the side. But he was reported to be suffering from a stiff back ahead of the series decider. As a result, Akash Deep has been rested from the series and Prasidh Krishna has taken his place in the playing XI.